2nd Essex, 56th Inf Brigade, 50th Divn

Hi, does anyone know what the 2nd Essex were doing on 9th July 1944? One of the men on our war memorial (Irlam and Cadishead) was lost on this day.

[FONT=&quot]On[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Sunday, 9th July 1944, Private 3455758 Herbert Arstall, of the 2nd Battalion, The Essex Regiment, 56th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, was killed in action, aged 29.[/FONT]

Any help much appreciated (as always)

Cheers
Pete

On 9th July 1944 the Essex Regiment will quite likely have been to the west / south-west of Tilly-sur-Seulles and therefore not directly involved in Operation Charnwood but rather one of the 'side-shows' designed to relieve pressure from the main British/Canadian thrust around Caen which featured Operations Charnwood and Goodwood. The village of Hottot, located about 2 miles south of Tilly-sur-Seulles also features a lot in the fighting at that time. The War Diary is what you really need!

And bam! We're back up and running.

Sadly, the existing war diary does not cover either in detail. There is a gap in July (see attached) and the page entry for 27th Asugust is very brief.. Sorry.

Hello Pete,

Apologies that I am late in responding, but just back from holiday.

On the 8 July the 56th Infantry Brigade was tasked with getting across the main road to the west of Hottot. They achieved their objective during the afternoon against heavy opposition, but were counter-attacked and by evening the two leading battalions had been forced to withdraw to the north of the road again.

At 6.00 am the following morning the Germans attacked again on the 2nd Bn Essex Regiment's front with three infantry companies and between 20 and 30 tanks. The Germans were thrown back with heavy losses, including 8 tanks.

Source: The Path Of The 50th (Clay).

It is likely that Private Arstall died in these actions.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Pete,

Apologies that I am late in responding, but just back from holiday.

On the 8 July the 56th Infantry Brigade was tasked with getting across the main road to the west of Hottot. They achieved their objective during the afternoon against heavy opposition, but were counter-attacked and by evening the two leading battalions had been forced to withdraw to the north of the road again.

At 6.00 am the following morning the Germans attacked again on the 2nd Bn Essex Regiment's front with three infantry companies and between 20 and 30 tanks. The Germans were thrown back with heavy losses, including 8 tanks.

Source: The Path Of The 50th (Clay).

It is likely that Private Arstall died in these actions.

Best,

Steve.

Thanks Steve, that's really helpful.

Regards
Pete